Seeing that woman and knowing the power of a Demigod, Obagiu didn't hesitate—he immediately activated his ability.
Without warning, the horns on his head glowed, and a pitch-black monster with a crocodile's head and scaly fish-like skin appeared in the sky.
Obagiu's horns transformed into the massive fangs in the crocodile monster's jaws.
Simultaneously, Bard didn't hesitate either—the feathers on his head shone with an eerie blue light, instantly enveloping his arms.
With a whoosh, enormous eagle wings sprouted from Bard's arms, lifting him into the air.
"Oh? So this is the Patch Tribe's Over Soul?"
The raven-haired beauty in the twelve-layered kimono, her crimson eyes gleaming, examined their Over Souls with fascination:
"I'd heard that the Shaman Class founded by Hao Asakura borrowed from your Patch Tribe's abilities. It seems that rumour holds some truth."
Smiling, Aya Tokoyogi studied their Over Souls before remarking in surprise:
"Using a Demigod Rank soul as a medium for this technique?"
"At Hero Rank, this is indeed enough to overpower peers."
"But tell me—without even Concept Entanglement, do you really think you can escape me alive?"
Seeing that Aya seemed open to conversation, Obagiu replied calmly:
"We don't need to escape—just hold out long enough."
"The spiritual disturbance from releasing our Over Souls in the real world will alert a Demigod allied with our Patch Tribe inside the airport."
"If we can stall until they arrive—"
Before Obagiu could finish, Bard, hovering mid-air, bellowed with full force: "The Witch of the Notaria, you cannot kill us."
"Oh? What an interesting statement."
Aya Tokoyogi slightly raised the corner of her lips, glanced towards the airport, then smiled:
"Is your confidence stemming from that Director of the Hidden Management Department?"
Hearing this, Obagiu's expression changed slightly before he said with disbelief:
"Was your purpose in appearing here always Luo Shu from the start?"
Aya Tokoyogi didn't answer, merely gazing towards the airport with her fiery red eyes. Then, as if seeing something amusing, she smiled:
"I see. So the Patch Tribe has finally dared to let their precious Saintess out?"
"Heh, it seems you're truly afraid, going so far as to have the Hidden Management Department provide her security..."
"Though a Demigod paired with the Patch Tribe's Saintess does pose a significant threat to me..."
As Aya Tokoyogi spoke, the golden-eyed woman with emerald hair standing beside her in a black uniform reminded:
"Aya, if we delay any longer, Natsuki Minamiya will catch up again."
"Understood, C.C. Since it's slightly troublesome, we'll spare these two Patch Tribe priests for now."
Aya Tokoyogi turned away, smiling as she asked:
"What would you like for lunch?"
"Pizza."
"Still as utterly dull as ever, I see."
Watching Aya Tokoyogi depart, Obagiu and Bard remained highly vigilant.
Especially when the two figures vanished in a flicker, their alarm bells ringing loudly as they braced for an attack.
Fortunately, Aya Tokoyogi seemed genuinely uninterested in assaulting them.
After waiting tensely for over ten seconds without incident, Bard finally exhaled in relief:
"...Were we spared?"
"It appears so," Obagiu said gravely.
The two exchanged glances, falling into mutual silence.
Just then, a golden lightning bolt streaked across the sky.
With a thunderous boom, the parking lot erupted in noise.
Stepping out from the crater she'd created, Joan of Arc in full armour emerged, her expression solemn:
"Have they already left?"
Turning towards Obagiu and Bard, she called out:
"Are you both unharmed?"
"My deepest apologies, Saintess," Obagiu bowed his head immediately. "To require your assistance, this subordinate truly—"
Beside him, Bard looked equally remorseful: "My ghost ship may have been too conspicuous, attracting that Witch of the Notaria."
"The Witch of the Notaria?"
"That high-ranking member of Truth Astronomy opposed to the SDS? To think she would personally intervene..."
Joan of Arc knew something of Aya Tokoyogi, and it was precisely this knowledge that made her wary.
Those who'd obtained inheritances from actual demons and ascended to Demigod status during the world's upheaval were never individuals to be trifled with...
Especially when such figures were implicitly hostile.
Noticing Joan's arrival, Bard remarked with some surprise:
"Speaking of which, since you've come here, what of Luo Shu...?"
"Lord Luo Shu, he..." Joan of Arc hesitated, her expression turning subtle. "He's probably already engaged with the enemy, isn't he?"
...
Tokyo Bay, Ota Ward, along the coastal road.
Carried by the sea breeze, a warm voice rang out.
"I wonder if these two lovely ladies might spare some time to join me for coffee?"
Hearing this, Aya Tokoyogi, whose path had been blocked, looked with surprise at the man standing thirty metres ahead.
The man had black hair and dark eyes, with handsome, sunlit features and thin lips. His face bore what appeared to be a genuinely cheerful smile, like a sunny young man who'd just graduated and hadn't yet suffered society's harsh lessons.
However, whether it was the face she had seen in intelligence reports or the faint sense of danger emanating from him, Aya Tokoyogi recognised his identity.
Luo Shu, Director of the SDS Hidden Management Department.
A man currently suspected of being a Demigod.
The strongest combatant of the SDS in Japan.
Being intercepted by such a person, Aya Tokoyogi wasn't overly anxious but rather somewhat surprised:
"You locked onto me this quickly?"
"With the help of some artefacts."
Luo Shu raised his hand, pointing to the double pupils beginning to appear in his eyes.
It was the effect of a Common-grade Abyss Artefact called Super Vision, which possessed long-range sight and X-ray vision, with a maximum observation distance of five kilometres.
Seeing Luo Shu's frankness, C.C., standing beside Aya Tokoyogi, frowned:
"That gaze has an unpleasant feel to it."
Hearing this, Luo Shu replied nonchalantly: "Probably because it's an Abyss Artefact with X-ray capabilities?"
At the mention of X-ray vision, neither Aya Tokoyogi nor C.C. showed any change in expression, clearly confident in countering such invasive abilities.
Seeing their indifference, Luo Shu smiled and extended an invitation:
"So, care for a drink?"
In response, Aya Tokoyogi parted her cherry lips slightly:
"What if I refuse?"
The atmosphere seemed to freeze in that instant.